Secret Mission

The paperwork's done.

Good work, rookie.

Just doing my job. How's the old man doing?

(Shakes head)

There's nothing more the doctors can do for him.

Which is to say...

What's our job now? Executing the citizen's will in our capacity as executors?

Of course. It's our most important duty.

Speaking of wills... Richele! Attention!

Y-Yes, ma'am!

That's more like it. Look alive when you're working!

I know it's your first mission and I don't want to put unnecessary pressure on you. However...

This is a secret mission, Richele.

A secret mission?

Yes. Take this.

Time is of the essence. Deliver this document to this address today. You'll need to leave immediately.

There will be someone there to receive it.

This is...

I can't tell you. Discretion is crucial for an executor.

But I can tell you that this is an important mission. The contents of the document could throw all of Laterano into chaos.

Throw all of Laterano into chaos...

(Seriously?)

Yes.

But I'm new on the job. Is this really a task I should be entrusted with?

Isn't it more suited to a veteran, like you...?

Unfortunately, I have other urgent matters to attend to. You're the only one I can count on.

You passed the Notarial Hall's entrance exam. You've proven your mettle. Now it's time to show it.

Is this how promotion exams work in the Notarial Hall?

Promotion exam?

Er, well, yes! Complete this mission, and you'll be a proper Executor!

Okay...

I guess I'll set out now, if you put it that way.

Take care!

I will... try...

Good luck, rookie.

(This address is in the outskirts.)

(The fastest way would be to go straight down this street and just keep going.)

(Before that, though...)

Did you know? There's a new shop in Pagus Stevonus. They say it sells the best donuts in town!

I got in line in the morning and bought two. Try it out!

Ah, I've tried it before. It's not bad, but...

......

But what? Are you going to keep me guessing?

Old Darian's donuts are the best. Even better than the new shop.

I tried it once, and I could never forget it.

Really? I don't believe you.

Hey, man, try this donut! I guarantee it's the best you've ever had.

Who? Me?

Sorry, I'm in a hurry. Ask someone else.

Hey! Wait up!

It won't take long...

......

Sorry, I really am in a hurry.

Excuse me.

Wait...!

(Damn, he's fast!)

(After him! Don't let him get away!)

*pant*...*pant*....

I... I'm out of breath... where did he go?

No idea... he can run...

I told you that wouldn't work... getting close to him while pretending to chat like that...

We should have stopped him and taken it by force!

Now's not the time for that! I... I've notified the others.

After him!

So they were after me...

Or, to be more specific, what I'm carrying.

The only thing I can think of is this confidential document.

I expected something, but not so soon... how did they know who I was and where I was?

It sounds like there are others...

(...! Who is it this time?)

Excuse me, Senior.

Someone just reported a robbery around here.

Did you see anyone suspicious?

No idea, I'm just passing by.

(Is it a coincidence that he's standing in my way?)

As the only potential witness right now, I must ask you to cooperate...

Sorry, I'm in a hurry!

Wait!

Excuse me!

Is something troubling you? Is there anything I can help you with?

(Another one.)

Well... the situation right now is kind of troubling.

Sorry, but I really have to be going.

Hold it right there!

We can't let you go.

Er... what do you mean?

No need to play dumb. You know what we're after.

Hand it over!

(Well, well, well... what do we have here?)

(On the other hand, I don't sense any real hostility in their expression. What is going on with this mission?)

Well, it's my first ever job...

I can't screw it up.

Do we do it?

Let's see what a Notarial Hall Executor's gun is like.

......

Could we avoid causing so much commotion in the middle of town?

Bare hands will do.

I've reviewed your Pontifica Cohors record.

You've proven to be an outstanding soldier.

Gratias.

Are you satisfied with being just that?

What do you mean?

You've done your job well, but one soldier more or less makes no difference to Laterano.

We didn't bring you back from that Siracusan town because we wanted a soldier.

......

What do you think of Laterano?

It... it's a fine place.

Much better than I expected, in fact. Not just the prosperity... but also a certain order that permeates everyone's lives.

Our Commandments?

I guess.

Sometimes people want to blow up decorations on the streets, and people like to watch it, but that's not such a bad thing.

What I mean is...

Not the kind of bad thing where people get hurt, people die, and even those who aren't hurt or dead see their lives destroyed.

I like this place.

(Okay, now I should be fine.)

(I can stuff someone into a trash bin, right? As long as they're alive, right? Yeah, I'm sure that's cool...)

(Secret mission, robbers in the middle of the street... is that what life in Laterano is like?)

Wow...

(First mission ever, and it's a hot mess...)

(Maybe I could get a transfer back to the Pontifica Cohors.)

(Get the stuff to the destination, and then... hm?)

Another one.

S-Stop right there!

You shall not pass... er, well, just stop!

Hand it over!

(Hm?)

(No sign of professional training. Not what you would expect from someone trying to rob an executor.)

(Is this a disguise in itself? Something doesn't feel right...)

Pardon me, but what do you mean?

The envelope in your hands!

This one? I'm afraid I can't assent to handing it over.

It's my job, after all.

Well, I can't back off either...

If you won't hand it over, then I'll have to take it by force!

Hey! Violence is bad!

Argh... let go of me!

I'm afraid I can't.

Your form was messy. Your footwork was poor, and the delivery was sloppy.

I thought self-defense was part of compulsory Lateran education. How did you graduate?

I passed the class! It's not like I'm working any dangerous jobs...

Let me go!

Not working any dangerous jobs?

I would say trying to rob an executor is plenty dangerous.

How about this: You tell me who sent you, and who else is involved, and I let you go?

I-I can't!

I can't tell you. You don't know what you're dealing with...

I heard it was something that could 'throw all Laterano into chaos.'

Some sort of weapon blueprint?

You could say that...

Anyway, I'm not talking! Don't even bother!

......

You're right. This is what sets Laterano apart from the rest.

You said Laterano was special. What about yourself?

Me?

I'm Sankta... so I guess I'm Lateran?

That's not enough.

Let's go to the Notarial Hall. I'll write you a letter of recommendation.

Be more than a spectator. Experience the life of a true Lateran yourself.

The life of a true Lateran...

Yes.

I think you'll like it.

*sigh*...

I've already been delayed too long.

Things would be much easier if we weren't in Laterano... I'm not sure I like all this complicated stuff.

Wh-What do you mean?

What I mean is...

It's such a beautiful day. I didn't want to have to do this.

Hello, this is the Notarial Hall.

The commission? Our executor is on it. It will be done today.

...Complications?

......

Understood. I will deal with it immediately.

No worries. Richele may be a rookie, and he has much to learn, but...

I trust him. He'll complete the mission.

—!

............

...I, I'm alive?

Whoa! It's gonna fall!

H-He shot through the pillar? That's crazy...

He almost broke my arm...

Hey, it's me.

Sorry, I couldn't stop him.

I told you, how was I supposed to stop an Executor?

Well, I think we worked hard enough to make Old Darian happy.

(Whew, almost didn't hold back...)

(This is Laterano. I have to do things the Lateran way.)

(Phew...)

(Almost there.)

Excuse me.

Salve.

(There's no one else here. There's no mistake, right?)

Are you the recipient of this will?

Yes, I am.

Thank you for delivering it.

Just doing my job.

This is the envelope I was asked to deliver.

......

Are you not curious what's inside?

I heard it's important.

Yes, yes. Very important and precious...

Is it really something I should know?

The value of something doesn't lie in the number of people who know it or possess it.

I'll read it out once everyone is here.

You're reading it in public?!

Hehe...

Go ahead, open it.

Are you sure?

Of course.

......

One egg, three tablespoons of sugar, yeast...

One cup of flour, two tablespoons of maple syrup...

This is...

A donut recipe?

Yes. A nice one, isn't it?

This is what my husband gave me when he proposed to me.

My family and friends chased him all the way. You should have seen him when he finally made it to me.

Your husband was the decedent?

(Nods)

We didn't have any children. Not that it was ever a problem. We were happy together, the two of us.

But we didn't want the recipe to be lost once we're gone from Laterano.

Was there a need to hide it from the executor too, though?

So, those people who tried to stop me were all part of the plan?

Consider it an old man's last little game.

I'm sure he thought I didn't know and wanted to give me a surprise, so that the recipe could be passed on to the next generation over the sound of cheering...

......

Here, have a donut.

I'm sure you'll like it.

How was it?

Sorry I couldn't tell you the truth. That was part of the client's will.

I still don't understand...

Why do Laterans do this sort of thing, even though it's completely unnecessary?

You said you liked sweet stuff, just like pretty much everyone else in Laterano.

The old man overheard you saying it, which was why he asked for you to deliver the recipe.

It would be even better if you learned it and made those donuts regularly.

......

That's how Laterans are. And you can expect more of this, if you stay on the job.

Not happy about it?

On the contrary...

I love it.

Excellent!

Congratulations on a job well done, rookie!